Apple Reportedly Opting For Google’s Gemini To Power Some iPhone AI Features

Apple tried so hard to catchup with the rest of its competitors in the AI race but has till today not been to record any breakthrough and it’s not just AI but other big spaces like search where some in the tech world thought Apple could be the company to eventually take on Google. The iPhone maker even dabbled into social media with Clips in the past and as you might expect, that didn’t really live up to the hype as well but in all of these Apple has thought to partner with other tech competitors like Google to leverage on its huge iPhone platform usage. Google reportedly pays Apple to remain the top search engine on its gadgets and now Apple is considering a huge partnership with Google yet again. Apple is reportedly engaged in discussions with Google to integrate its Gemini generative AI technology into the iPhone ecosystem. According to Bloomberg, the tech giant is in “active negotiations” with Google, while also considering leveraging OpenAI’s ChatGPT for similar purposes.

Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, has previously emphasized the company’s dedication to AI innovation, stating that Apple is devoting significant resources to AI development and plans to unveil new AI features to consumers later this year. Bloomberg’s report suggests that Apple’s AI capabilities could encompass a blend of proprietary models developed in-house and third-party AI solutions. This strategic move could see on-device generative AI functionalities powered by Apple’s proprietary models, while cloud-based AI features such as text and image generation may be facilitated through partnerships with industry leaders like Google.

If the collaboration with Google materializes, Apple would join the ranks of companies leveraging Google’s AI prowess to enhance smartphone capabilities. Earlier this year, Samsung integrated Google’s AI technology into its Galaxy S24 smartphones, showcasing the potential for AI-driven features to enrich user experiences. While Google’s AI is prominently featured on its own Pixel 8 devices, the specific branding or implementation of Google’s technology on Apple’s devices remains to be determined.

Despite Apple’s existing partnership with Google, particularly in making Google Search the default option on its devices, such alliances have drawn scrutiny from regulators. The U.S. Department of Justice has raised concerns about the potential anticompetitive effects of such agreements, alleging that they could reinforce Google’s dominance in the search engine market.

A prospective AI collaboration between Apple and Google could extend the reach of Google’s AI tools to the vast user base of over 2 billion iPhones worldwide. However, Bloomberg highlights the possibility that such a partnership could signify Apple’s acknowledgment of its AI technology lagging behind competitors. While Apple has reportedly been developing its in-house chatbot dubbed “Apple GPT” and a large language model codenamed “Ajax,” its AI capabilities are purportedly less advanced compared to industry rivals.

The timeline for any potential agreement between Apple and Google remains uncertain, with Bloomberg indicating that an announcement is unlikely before Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. As tech enthusiasts eagerly await further developments, the prospect of enhanced AI integration on iPhones holds promise for future innovations in mobile technology.